Author: Devin James

SENATOR OSTEN UNVEILS BRONZE PLAQUE TO COMMEMORATE AMERICAN SOLDIER POWS AND MISSING IN ACTION

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SENATOR OSTEN UNVEILS BRONZE PLAQUE TO COMMEMORATE AMERICAN SOLDIER POWS AND MISSING IN ACTION

HARTFORD – State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague), a Vietnam-era Army veteran and an American Legion Post commander, today helped unveil a new memorial bronze plaque in the veterans’ memorial area of the state Legislative Office Building that commemorates those American soldiers who are either missing in action or considered prisoners of war.

According to the U.S. Department of War (formerly the Department of Defense), more than 80,000 American service personnel are listed as either missing or prisoners of war from previous conflicts, and 38,000 of those are estimated to be recoverable. About 41,000 are listed as missing at sea.

“At our American Legion Post 85 in Baltic, every single meeting starts with a recognition of those who are still missing in action and those who are still prisoners of war from any of the conflicts that we’ve had,” Sen. Osten said. “It takes a lot of humility to accept that we haven’t brought everybody home yet. But I think it’s important to let people know that even though not every soldier is home yet, we are thinking of them. remembering them, and honoring them, and that’s exactly what this plaque will do.”

The nonprofit American Ex-Prisoners of War has designed and fabricated a series of bronze commemorative plaques that it is donating to each participating Capitol building in America to raise awareness of American POWs and those missing in action.

“Our project is to raise visibility and awareness, and it leads to the respect and honor that all our veterans deserve,” said  AMEXPOW CEO Charles Susino. “We are honored by the warm welcome we received here from Connecticut, we’re honored that our plaque is here, and the people of Connecticut need to be proud of what you’ve all done.”

Senator Lopes Leads Senate Passage of Legislation to Protect Domestic Violence Survivors and their Pets

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Senator Lopes Leads Senate Passage of Legislation to Protect Domestic Violence Survivors and their Pets

Today, state Senator Rick Lopes (D-New Britain), Chair of the Environment Committee, led Senate passage of a multifaceted bill that supports domestic violence survivors, strengthens the State Veterinarian’s authority to protect animal health, and works to stabilize funding for Connecticut’s animal population control program.

Senate Bill 318, “An Act Concerning Animal Welfare”, helps ensure survivors are not forced to choose between safety and their pets.

“When someone is trying to escape an abusive home, they can be impeded by what might happen to their family pet,” said Senator Rick Lopes. “But that’s exactly what’s happening. People are staying in dangerous, sometimes life-threatening situations because they just can’t find a safe place for their pet and they refuse to leave them behind. This bill takes the first step toward making sure that when someone picks up the phone to get help, there’s an answer on the other end that covers their pet too, not just them.”

Protecting Domestic Violence Survivors and Their Pets
Research has well documented that domestic violence survivors are more likely to remain in dangerous situations when they have no safe option for their companion animals.

Shelter space that accommodates both survivors and their pets remains extremely limited across Connecticut. Senate Bill 318 addresses this gap directly.

The legislation directs the Department of Agriculture (DoAg), in consultation with the Office of Victim Services, to conduct a study on the impact that the need to place companion animals has on victims of domestic violence. The study will examine existing resources available to survivors seeking temporary or permanent placement for their pets, identify contact persons who can assist survivors in placing their animals, and evaluate the feasibility of establishing a 24-hour phone or electronic hotline dedicated to helping domestic violence victims find care for their companion animals.

The legislation builds on the work of organizations like Companions in Crisis, a Connecticut-based nonprofit that helps secure temporary shelter for the pets of domestic violence victims, and was developed with the strong support of the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV).

Strengthening the State Veterinarian’s Authority
Senate Bill 318 also includes a technical fix requested by the Department of Agriculture that expands the State Veterinarian’s authority to issue orders preventing the spread of disease among animals and poultry. Current law limits such orders to contagious and infectious diseases. This definition has created difficulty in addressing diseases that fall outside those specific classifications. The bill broadens this authority to cover any disease, ensuring Connecticut is better equipped to respond swiftly to emerging animal health threats.

Studying Animal Population Control Program Funding
The bill will require the Department of Agriculture to convene a working group to study Connecticut’s animal population control program and develop recommendations to augment and stabilize its funding.

This provision reflects a broader commitment to ensuring Connecticut has the resources necessary to address animal overpopulation in a sustainable, long-term way.

Senate Bill 318 is supported by the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence. In their testimony, Liza Andrews, the VP of Government & Public Relations at the CT CADV said, “Abusers frequently use survivors’ attachment to pets as a method of coercion to stay in the relationship. Threatening, neglecting, and harming pets is a commonly cited tactic used to intimidate and force compliance from survivors. Second, for many survivors, companion animals are not simply pets; they are family members, emotional support, and sometimes the only form of stability and comfort during times of extreme trauma and crisis. When considering leaving, survivors often face an impossible choice. Do they leave for safety and abandon an animal they love? Or do they stay, risking their own safety?”

This bill creates an infrastructure for assisting survivors with placement of their pets by directing the State Veterinarian to identify one or more contact persons who are accessible 24/7 and who will coordinate with animal rescue organizations or animal control facilities that are available to serve as a location for placement of a survivor’s companion animal on a temporary or permanent basis.

The bill now heads to the House of Representatives.

Senator Gaston Leads Senate Passage of Bill Closing Loophole on Armed School Security

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Senator Gaston Leads Senate Passage of Bill Closing Loophole on Armed School Security

Today, state Senator Herron Keyon Gaston (D-Bridgeport), Chair of the Public Safety and Security Committee, led Senate passage on a bill that will close a critical loophole that previously enabled officers dismissed from law enforcement for serious misconduct to serve as armed security personnel in Connecticut’s public schools.

Senate Bill 402, “An Act Revising the Definition of “Retired Police Officer” for Purposes of Certain Provisions Regarding School Security Services”, revises the definition of “retired police officer” for the purposes of certain provisions regarding school security services.

“Every child who walks through the doors of a public school deserves to be safe and that means we must hold those entrusted with their protection to a high standard,” said Senator Gaston. “This bill ensures that officers who were dismissed or stepped aside under a cloud of serious misconduct cannot find a back door into our schools. We will not let bad actors slip through the cracks.”

Under current Connecticut law, police departments are prohibited from hiring an officer who was previously employed in another jurisdiction and was dismissed for malfeasance or serious misconduct that called into question their fitness to serve, or who resigned or retired while under investigation for such conduct.

SB 402 extends that same standard to the school security context by disqualifying any individual who is prohibited from being hired by a law enforcement unit from being eligible to provide armed school security services in a public school as a retired police officer.

Prior to this legislation, a retired or separated officer who would be ineligible for rehire by any law enforcement agency due to a history of misconduct could nonetheless be placed in an armed security role in a Connecticut public school. SB 402 closes that gap, creating consistent accountability standards across both law enforcement hiring and school safety.

SB 402 has earned the support of the Connecticut State Department of Education. In their testimony, Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker stated, “School safety is a high priority of the Department. Ensuring that those adults working in our schools and trusted with the safety of our students, school staff and families are qualified to carry out such duties is paramount.”

The bill will now head to the House of Representatives.

Looney, Duff & Honig Call on Federal Government to Restore Home Loan Protections for Veterans

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Looney, Duff & Honig Call on Federal Government to Restore Home Loan Protections for Veterans

HARTFORD — Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, and Senate Chair of the Veterans’ and Military Affairs Committee Paul Honig today condemned the federal government’s abrupt cancellation of a key VA home loan assistance program that has left more than 10,000 veterans across the country facing foreclosure, and called for an immediate restoration of protections for veterans.

“Reports that more than 10,000 veterans have lost their homes since the federal government abruptly shut down a key program are deeply troubling. The federal government ignored warnings from the mortgage industry that veterans would be kicked out of their homes. We find it unfathomable that federal elected officials would not do everything in their power to support those who served our country. We ask all our colleagues in the General Assembly to join us in calling on the federal government to immediately fix this injustice and give veterans the protections they deserve. We owe them that much, and more.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kevin Coughlin | kevin.coughlin@cga.ct.gov | 203-710-0193

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GAE COMMITTEE ADVANCES ELECTION PROTECTION BILLS

Measures aim to prevent election interference and voter intimidation

HARTFORD – On its final day for bill action in the 2026 legislative session, the Government Administration & Elections Committee has advanced a series of bills to protect Connecticut elections by preventing interference or intimidation of voters.

GAE Senate Chair Senator Mae Flexer and GAE House Chairman Representative Matt Blumenthal (D-Stamford) co-authored, sponsored, or introduced these measures to ensure the sacred right to vote is safeguarded without fear at home or at the polls.

House Bill 5533 and Senate Bill 463 “AN ACT CONCERNING PROTECTION OF ELECTION ADMINISTRATION PROCESSES, ELECTIONS SITES, ELECTION WORKERS AND ELECTORS” fights back against threats from President Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans to “nationalize” and “take over” our elections. The bill would:

  • Bar federal law enforcement within 250 feet of a polling place without permission from state election officials or a court order
  • Require coordination with the Connecticut Secretary of the State and the Attorney General before federal agents conduct operations near a polling place
  • Establish state penalties for violations to ensure protections are taken seriously

House Bill 5001 “AN ACT CONCERNING ABSENTEE VOTING FOR ALL AND VARIOUS OTHER REFORMS TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF ELECTIONS” would implement Absentee Voting For All two years after Connecticut voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment. The measure would allow eligible voters to request an absentee ballot without providing a reason. Currently, absentee ballots are limited to voters who meet specific criteria. Removing those restrictions will make voting more accessible, increase participation, and ensure voters have safe and flexible options for casting their ballots.

House Bill 5342  AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND OTHER MEANS TO GENERATE DECEPTIVE SYNTHETIC MEDIA AND AFFECT ELECTION addresses a growing threat to elections: AI-generated “deepfake” videos, images, and audio used to spread misinformation about candidates. The bill would:

  • Prohibit deceptive AI-generated media intended to influence an election
  • Apply to manipulated videos, audio, or images that falsely depict a candidate
  • Covers the 90 days leading up to an election or primary, when misinformation can have the biggest impact

“Maintaining American democracy is a top concern among voters in national polls, and for good reason – the Trump administration has been working overtime to gerrymander voting districts, re-write voting rules, steal ballots, and repeatedly cast doubt on elections where Republicans lose. It’s an outrageous assault on America’s free and fair elections. In Connecticut, we have been working diligently to improve access to democracy,” Sen. Flexer said.

 

“Our elections are under attack like never before. On Friday, we took strong action to protect voters and voting rights said Rep. Blumenthal. “These measures will help prevent intimidation at the polls by anyone — including the federal government. They expand access to absentee voting. They crack down on deceptive deepfakes. They help ensure that every eligible voter can make their voice heard without fear or interference. As our 250th anniversary of independence approaches, they will help preserve our democracy for generations to come.”

 

With approval from the GAE Committee, all three of the measures move to the House floor for further consideration if they are called before the end of session on May 6.

Bill Bringing Relief to Success Village Residents Heads to House & Senate for Consideration

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Bill Bringing Relief to Success Village Residents Heads to House & Senate for Consideration

A bill designed to provide financial relief to residents of Success Village, a common interest community spanning Bridgeport and Stratford, has passed out of the Planning & Development Committee and will now head to the House and Senate for passage.

House Bill 5500, “An Act Concerning a Waiver of Interest on Certain Delinquent Municipal Property Taxes’, will address the financial fallout caused by the mismanagement of former community management, who failed to properly manage community funds, leaving residents with significant back property taxes and accruing interest despite having paid their community fees in full and on time.

“On January 6, I hosted a town hall at Success Village to connect residents with community resources and hear directly about the challenges they were facing,” said State Senator Herron Keyon Gaston (D-Bridgeport). “During that meeting, many residents spoke about the hardship caused by mismanagement, from lack of heat and hot water to financial burdens they should never have had to carry. I heard you loud and clear. Since that conversation, I have been working with the Bridgeport and Stratford legislative delegations and other key partners to push for meaningful relief and long-term stability for the residents of Success Village. The residents of Success Village have done nothing wrong. They paid what was asked of them and deserved responsible leadership in return. I stand in solidarity with this community and will continue fighting to ensure these wrongs are made right.”

“House Bill 5500 is about doing right by the residents of Success Village,” said State Representative Christopher Rosario (D-Bridgeport). “These families paid their common charges in good faith and should not be punished for financial mismanagement they had no control over. I’ve been working alongside Councilwoman Maria Pereira and Councilwoman Keyla Medina to make sure the residents receive the relief they deserve, and that this community has the stability it needs moving forward.”

“The residents of Success Village have really been put through the wringer over the last few years, including problems with old equipment, leading to issues with heat and hot water,” said State Representative Joseph Gresko (D-Stratford). “But they’re working hard to right the ship. This bill would allow the funds that have been paid in interest and penalties to be returned to the receivership from the municipalities to continue paying down debt. The residents deserve a resolution. This is the light at the end of the tunnel that we want to see keep going.”

Residents of Success Village, many of whom went weeks without heat and hot water as a direct consequence of the unpaid taxes, have been burdened with a financial crisis that was not of their making. HB 5500 would forgive the interest on those back property taxes and return any payments residents have already made toward that interest, providing critical relief to a community that did everything right.

The committee heard substantial public testimony in support of the bill ahead of its advancement.

SENATE DEMOCRATS’ STRONG COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION INVESTMENT MOVES FORWARD

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SENATE DEMOCRATS’ STRONG COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION INVESTMENT MOVES FORWARD

Today, the Education Committee advanced key legislation from Connecticut Senate Democrats seeking to make a strong and transformative increase in the state’s public education systems.

Senate Bill 7, “An Act Concerning Educational Equity,” passed out of the Education Committee March 16.

“We know our state needs to better keep pace with the costs of education, and our schools and children lose out on opportunities when that isn’t happening,” said State Senator Doug McCrory, Senate Chair of the Education Committee. “It leads to fewer programs, kids struggling, teachers spending their own funds to help out in the classroom. Raising the foundation amount in the grant will change that. It will deliver on our promises and make sure schools, students and communities across Connecticut get the care, attention and funds they deserve.”

“This situation doesn’t call for a short-term fix. Senate Democrats are focused on a full overhaul of our education funding systems that allow every school to succeed – with secondary impacts on local taxes, local educational resources and local community support,” said Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk). “This legislation marks Connecticut’s determination to make sure every student has the best opportunities to succeed.”

The bill proposes raising the Education Cost Sharing formula’s foundation grant from its current level of $11,525 per pupil. In the next four fiscal years it would continue to increase, growing to $12,500 in fiscal year 2027, $13,500 in fiscal year 2028, $14,500 in fiscal year 2029 and $15,500 in fiscal year 2030.

Following 2030, the foundation grant would be indexed to economic indicators to ensure funding meets financial pressures in future years.

Under this framework, the proposal would increase state education funding by $58 million in fiscal year 2027, $233 million in fiscal year 2028, $422 million in fiscal year 2029 and $618 million in fiscal year 2030.

Senate Bill 7 received nearly 700 pieces of testimony in support during the public hearing process, including from dozens of school superintendents, principals and teachers.

Hartford Public Schools teacher Ron Acosta noted in public testimony that the current foundation of $11,525 per student has remained unchanged for 13 years and is highly outdated, leaving schools unable to meet students’ needs. “The classrooms are overcrowded and students are underserviced, if serviced at all,” Acosta said.

Paul Brenton, Superintendent of Plainfield Public Schools, said the planned increase in SB7 is a necessary and welcome step toward restoring balance and strengthening the state’s partnership with local school districts. This is especially important in some districts that are economically strained, Brenton added, as Plainfield’s student poverty rate recently climbed significantly and is facing stagnant local growth, meaning such increases are specifically important in communities that otherwise could risk falling behind.

Maureen Brummet, Superintendent of Newington Public Schools, noted the stagnancy of the ECS foundation fails to “reflect the real-world expenses of providing a quality education,” forcing towns to shoulder additional costs in providing students with education – in comparison, the predictability and adjustments offered by SB7 is the “only path” to fostering stability, predictability and long-term fiscal planning capacity.

With the bill’s passage today, it next heads to the Senate floor for further deliberation.

SEN. KUSHNER JOINS 32BJ SEIU & UNITED HERE TO SUPPORT PROPOSED WORKER RETENTION LAW

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SEN. KUSHNER JOINS 32BJ SEIU & UNITED HERE TO SUPPORT PROPOSED WORKER RETENTION LAW

HARTFORD – State Senator Julie Kushner (D-Danbury), 32BJ SEIU and United Here! today threw their support behind a proposed bill that would protect workers’ jobs for 90 days after a change in contractors at a worksite and require business owners to provide sufficient notice in advance of such job changes.

Under current Connecticut law, workers employed by building-service contractors have no legal right to keep their jobs if the contractor changes or if the building is sold and the new employer decides to replace the entire workforce.

A bill that received its public hearing today before the Labor & Public Employees Committee – Senate Bill 358, “AN ACT CONCERNING THE RETENTION OF SERVICE CONTRACT WORKERS” – seeks to rectify this by requiring incoming building service contractors to retain the existing workforce for 90 days, and to give employees a 15-day notice of a switch in their employer, ensuring they have sufficient time to prepare for a life-changing job loss.

Such worker retention laws historically protect low-wage, subcontracted jobs, including janitors, security guards, healthcare facility housekeepers, airport workers, and food preparation workers in education and healthcare facilities.

“This is a really important piece of legislation, and I think sometimes we lose track of the human beings that are impacted, and how much of a difference we’ll make in their lives if we pass this legislation into law,” said Sen. Kushner, who fought in Danbury last summer when 14 longtime employees of a local company were suddenly let go when they lost their building cleaning contract to another company. “They shouldn’t have had to go through that. And the problem for our community is, we can’t have people who have worked at a company for 20 years all of a sudden have no income, have no health benefits, and no job. retentionI’m really excited about this  legislation, and I think it can make a difference, not just for the workers involved, but for our communities that suffer losses along with our neighbors.”

“Many of the grievances that come our way are from workers who’ve been displaced because a building has replaced a responsible contractor with an irresponsible one. With this law, we’re saying loud and clear: no more.” said Rochelle Palache, Vice President and Connecticut District Leader, 32BJ SEIU. “This common-sense law will ensure accountability and transparency and protect workers from abrupt and unjust losses in their pay, insurance, or other benefits.”

The Labor and Public Employees Committee has until March 24 to pass bills; the General Assembly adjourns for the year on May 4.

IN THE FACE OF TRUMP HEALTHCARE CUTS, SEN. CABRERA APPLAUDS RECORD ENROLLMENT IN CT’S HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACE

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IN THE FACE OF TRUMP HEALTHCARE CUTS, SEN. CABRERA APPLAUDS RECORD ENROLLMENT IN CT’S HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACE

HARTFORD – State Senator Jorge Cabrera (D-Hamden), who is Senate Chair of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee, today applauded the record enrollment in Connecticut’s health insurance marketplace – Access Health CT – even as the Trump administration ends federal health care subsidies for millions of Americans.

Access Health CT announced Thursday a record 157,246 people enrolled in a Qualified Health Plan during the 2026 Open Enrollment Period, compared to 151,151 at the end of the Open Enrollment Period in 2025. This year’s enrollment broke last year’s record by 4%.

Included in that number are 51,629 residents enrolled in the Covered CT Program; Covered CT provides no-cost coverage for eligible residents, and the State of Connecticut pays the consumer portion of premiums and cost-sharing.

“The Trump administration may be heartless, but Connecticut has a heart big enough for everyone,” Sen. Cabrera said. ” We’re covering a year’s worth of Access Health CT premium co-pays for those Connecticut residents who lost their federal tax credit due to Trump and the Republican budget, but who still desperately need health care. I’m pleased that a record number of Connecticut residents have put their faith in state government because the federal government under Donald Trump doesn’t give a damn.”

For the full Access Health CT press release, please visit: https://agency.accesshealthct.com/access-health-ct-enrolls-record-number-of-connecticut-residents-in-health-insurance-for-2026

SEN. KUSHNER PLEDGES TO RAISE NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT BILL THIS SESSION

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SEN. KUSHNER PLEDGES TO RAISE NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT BILL THIS SESSION

HARTFORD – Speaking today at a press conference on protecting the survivors of sexual abuse in the workplace and in prison, state Senator Julie Kushner (D-Danbury) pledged to raise a bill this session in the Labor and Public Employees Committee that would limit the use of non-disclosure agreements in Connecticut.

The bill will receive its public hearing on March 3.

Sen. Kushner vowed to raise the bill at a press conference today organized by the Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence, which is advocating this session to end nondisclosure agreements and to codify the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act into state law. The event featured a survivor of prison sexual abuse and a woman who is suing World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and others for sexual abuse, and who was later forced to sign a nondisclosure agreement.

“If the legislature fails to pass this bill this year, then we’re simply perpetuating the sexual abuse of women in the workplace. It’s that simple,” Sen. Kushner said. “When victims are silenced with NDAs, the perpetrator is never brought to justice, and they just continue their abuse. There’s no question that this is a critical piece of legislation this year, and that this is the year we need to get it done.”

Nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) between a company and an employee typically restrict employees from sharing business trade secrets and confidential information, but they can also be used to prevent employees from reporting fraud, insider trading, or sexual abuse. In such instances, the perpetrators of these crimes are never reported or prosecuted and may simply be shuffled off to another company to abuse more people.